Former Health Minister Urges FG, States, Tertiary Institutions To Invest In Moringa

Professor Iyorwuese Hagher, former Minister of State for Health, has urged Federal, States and Local Government Areas as well as tertiary institutions across the country to invest in moringa farming for its huge revenue generation, employment creation and health benefits for the citizenry.

Iyorwuese, who is also a former Minister of Power and Steel, gave this advice on Friday in Abuja, at a media briefing, shortly after signing of Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) between Moringa Productions,Marketers and Farmers Welfare and Empowernment Association of Nigeria, Eden Moringa Productions and Marketers Limited and the Middle Belt Youth Development Organisation and Agreco Shift Limited.

Iyorwuese, a Grand Patron of the Middle Belt Youth Development Organisation, tasked Universities and polytechnics to establish moringa farm to shore up their revenue base and create wealth in the citadels of learning.

According to him, ” Moringa is a miracle plant. Moringa cures so many diseases. It has been proven scientifically that moringa cures so many ailments.

“Nigeria is challenged in the health policy. As a former Minister of Health, I realise that we can no longer depend on chemical medicines.

“We need to go natural. If we plant moringa and make it available to the citizenry, we will have a healthy population.

“Planting of Moringa is the cheapest way people can attain premium health.”

He further decried the negative effect of chemical fertiliser on the soil, urging Nigerians to embrace organic moringa fertiliser for optimal productivity.

“We can no longer endure the damage to our soil caused by chemical fertiliser imported into the country.

“Chemical fertiliser destroys the soil and producers of these chemical fertilisers make Nigerians to be dependent on them” he said.

Iyorwuese, told the Federal Government to begin the production of moringa fertiliser to achieve food security, adding that “It is in agriculture that the security of this country is guaranteed.”

According to him, “One seed of moringa is more than AK 47 gun.”

Dr. Ashimashiga Akoloaga, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Moringa Productions, Marketers and Farmers Welfare and Empowerment Association of Nigeria, explained that the signing of MoU with Middle Belt Youth Development Organisation, was intended to encourage the youth to engage in moringa farming.

Akoloaga, pointed out that the synergy was also designed to educate farmers on how to cultivate and produce moringa products that meet international standards.

He acknowledged that Nigeria had experienced rejects of her agricultural produce in the international market due to high volume of chemical substance in these produce.

He, therefore, advised Nigerians to embrace organic fertilisers produced from moringa to ensure bumper harvest and good nourishment of the soil.

Akoloaga, called on farmer cooperatives and farmer groups to partner the Association in the distribution of E-Moringa fertiliser and other related products in Nigeria and beyond the shores of the country.

In his remarks, President of the Middle Belt Youth Development Organisation, Chris Aba, enumerated the numerous benefits of Moringa products, while calling on well- meaning Nigerians and investors to invest in moringa farming for socio-economic development of the country.